News

Covid-19: Using your hiring strategy to strengthen your business

Posted: 8 Sep 2020

Covid-19: Using your hiring strategy to strengthen your business

As companies struggle to cope with the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, it is interesting to reflect on the hiring strategies that help some succeed where others fail, says Eolas Recruitment.

History provides some great examples of successful companies that emerged stronger than before from a downturn. Their ability to adapt and innovate was crucial, says Eolas Recruitment Managing Director Vincent Flynn.

One of the best known stories is that of Procter & Gamble who famously leveraged advertising during the Great Depression to build their business. Kelloggs, too, saw their profits soar in that era while Disney, Microsoft, CNN and Apple can all trace their roots back to difficult times. More recent examples include Lego who emerged stronger from the 2008 economic downturn thanks to investment in new products and market expansion and Netflix who leveraged streaming to continue their growth.

Technology’s crucial role

In 2020, we have seen how technology can be the differentiator between winners and losers when it comes to helping businesses and society keep functioning in a crisis. Access to specialist IT skills is proving to be crucial for businesses that want to emerge stronger from the pandemic.

Says Vincent, “Remote working, online trading and contactless payments are to the fore as traditional businesses rush to get online. That is contributing to an increased IT workload as working practices have had to change rapidly. Project managers are in demand and companies are looking for digital workspace management support as more employees work from home. There is also growing interest in advanced technologies like robotic automation and artificial intelligence, which in turn creates demand for professionals with the necessary skills to manage teams made up of both humans and bots. Likewise, data analysts are in demand as businesses are trying to understand how the pandemic is impacting their bottom line and identify scope to create efficiencies and enhance performance. So, on the one hand there are great opportunities for candidates, but there are also opportunities for employers because of the impact of the pandemic across all sectors of the economy over the last few months.”

Hiring strategies in a downturn

For employers, one advantage of a downturn is that it increases the pool of available talent. In the current climate, what this means is that now is a good time to hire scarce IT skills. Former employees who left your company before the pandemic may be interested in returning while.skilled employees in other organisations whose responsibilities have increased since the outbreak of the pandemic may be more open to moving jobs than they would have been heretofore.

If you are seeking to hire IT workers, you can take advantage of these market trends to strengthen your team by working with a specialist IT recruiter. Whether you are looking for core skills and/or hybrid skills that can be deployed across different functions, now is the time to build in resilience so that you are ready to embrace new opportunities. Speed and flexibility will play an important role in helping your business emerge stronger than before from the pandemic.

What if you need help to find IT skills?

For many businesses, the problem is that they don’t have in-house resources in areas like e-commerce or security. Companies who are going online for the first time can find it difficult to know how to source the right expertise.

Says Vincent, “Obviously, this is an area where Eolas Recruitment can help employers—not just when it comes to hiring permanent IT workers, but also interim employees and IT contractors. We will identify, screen and select suitable candidates. Our team has extensive contacts and knowledge of the IT sector and we know what other employers are offering, so we can really add value to your hiring strategy.

“The pandemic is definitely an incentive when it comes to including IT contractors in your plan. During periods of rapid change, having a contingent workforce is attractive because of the additional capacity and specialist skills contractors can deliver. Another advantage of hiring contractors is that they know how to hit the ground running which is crucial when businesses are adapting rapidly in a fast-changing environment. Employers are definitely seeing that the flexibility contractors provide is a good way to improve resilience. That is really important, because resilient companies are the ones that are most likely to emerge stronger from the pandemic.”

Emerging stronger from recession

Of course, lessons learned from previous downturns are also helpful when thinking about your strategy for the coming months. Research suggests that positioning a business to emerge stronger from a downturn requires a blend of defensive and opportunistic moves. Ten years ago, the Harvard Business Review discussed this in an article, Roaring out of Recession. The authors, Ranjay Gulati, Nitin Nohria and Franz Wohlgezogen, whose research found that only 9% of companies flourish after a downturn, explain that companies who combine defensive and offensive moves like cutting costs and investing in marketing, R&D and new assets, stand the best chance of outperforming other businesses.

We believe that technology will continue to be a key driver of change as businesses find their way through the current pandemic. So, if you would like to discuss opportunities to strengthen your IT resources and/or find out more about how Eolas Recruitment works with employers why not check out our client testimonials and candidate reviews or contact us to arrange a chat!

Previous Page Client ServicesContact UsMeet the Team

Related NewsView all news

why-use-a-specialist-recruitment-agency-article-img_900x500_acf_cropped

Employers: Why use a specialist recruitment agency?

  • 3 Oct 2022

Choose wisely and these benefits will increase over time as the recruitment agency’s knowledge of your business deepens. Benefits of using recruitment agencies For large organisations and SMEs, particularly those in technology and knowledge...

Read more
eolas-feat-1_900x500_acf_cropped

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Tech Sector

  • 23 Aug 2022

“The perceived fairness of how a company treats its workforce—how inclusive it is and whether it values diversity—can be the deciding factor when candidates are choosing between potential employers,” says Eolas Recruitment Senior Technical...

Read more
eolas-cyber-blog_900x500_acf_cropped

Cyber Risks of Working from Home

  • 24 May 2022

It is certainly the case that working from home has introduced more risk. Companies are highly aware that data breaches and cybercrime incidents can be hugely damaging if they are not correctly managed. We’re seeing larger companies carrying out...

Read more

Latest Reviews

I'm just finishing up with a company as my role has been redundant so I started looking for a job immediately and I came across to a contractor role with Eolas Recruitment. The process went smooth. Caoimhe was very helpful. Thanks Eolas for your service and helping me get a job.
Rosalba Fitzpatrick
Rosalba Fitzpatrick
09:50 09 Jun 23
I had an amazing experience with Eolas Recruitment. Alan Kane and Peter Kirby were a pleasure to work with. They made each step of the recruiting process positive and FAST! I was very impressed with their approach. Alan and Peter were incredibly responsive and gave me great tips to make sure I felt prepared and confident going into my interviews. I'm super excited for my new role and all thanks to Eolas Recruitment for helping me get here with their support and guidance.
Lavanya Gowda
Lavanya Gowda
11:44 06 Jun 23
I want to extend my thanks to Alan and Eolas Recruitment for their support and expertise. Alan reached out to me about a potential job I would be interested in, he guided me through the entire process and ensured I was prepared. The level of professionalism and dedication were evident throughout. I am immensely grateful for their help in securing this opportunity. Highly recommend!
Monica Timmins
Monica Timmins
10:58 04 Jun 23
I had a great experience with Eolas Recruitment, especially with my recruiter, Caoimhe Cronin. She was super helpful and professional throughout the whole process. She checked in regularly to see how I was doing and offered any assistance I needed. She also gave me some great tips on how to prepare for interviews. I appreciate her positive attitude and support. Even after I got the job, she was still available to answer any questions. I would definitely recommend Eolas Recruitment to anyone looking for a new job in IT.
Ranjith Chaz
Ranjith Chaz
17:55 03 Jun 23
I had an absolutely wonderful experience with Eolas, and I am immensely grateful for the outstanding support and assistance provided by Sean Prendergast. From the moment I engaged with Eolas, Sean has been an incredible resource and advocate, ensuring that my journey with the company was nothing short of exceptional.Throughout the entire recruitment process, Sean's professionalism shone through. His expertise and guidance were invaluable in helping me navigate every step, from the initial interview to securing the position. His attention to detail and commitment to understanding my career aspirations made me feel truly heard and valued as a candidate.I highly recommend Eolas to anyone seeking professional recruitment services. Their commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and genuine care for candidates make them a standout choice in the industry. My experience with Eolas was truly outstanding, and I am confident they will continue to assist many individuals in their pursuit of fulfilling careers.A heartfelt thank you to Jim Ryan, the Managing Director of Eolas, for his exceptional leadership and support.
Jorge Acosta
Jorge Acosta
11:24 18 May 23
Nicola was very helpful and professional throughout the recruitment process. She answered the many questions I had in a clear and concise manner. Overall great communication throughout.
Fintan Moloney
Fintan Moloney
08:50 18 May 23
Nicola did an awesome job, always keeping me posted about the status of my job application and interviews. She provided great materials to help prepare and was very transparent in setting expectations and negotiating on my behalf. I highly recommend.
Aymeric P
Aymeric P
10:19 12 May 23
Very Professional, friendly and helpful with queries. Helped me through the whole process with regular updates and communication.
Andrew OConnor
Andrew OConnor
05:23 10 May 23
My dealings with Nicola as a senior recruiter was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my years of engaging with recruitment agencies. Nicola’s professionalism, courtesy and friendly manner was refreshing. I highly recommend Nicola as a recruitment partner. David
David Brady
David Brady
17:06 03 May 23
I dealt with Nicola Byrne whom I found to be excellent, particularly in keeping me up to date and staying in contact. I would recommend Nicola and Eolas to anyone seeking a new role.
Daryl McGrath
Daryl McGrath
20:53 26 Apr 23
I had a great experience with Eolas. They contacted me for a role that suited my needs exactly. The interview process happened very smoothy thanks to the way they communicated and organised the interviews.
Barry McMahon
Barry McMahon
07:56 20 Apr 23
Eolas has been great for me. They are to the point and beyond helpful and supportive, going the extra mile but taking you there as well so you are the best you when you need to be. Cant recommend them enough, and I hope to be working with them for a long time and on many occassions.
Diego M. Sieiro
Diego M. Sieiro
10:36 14 Apr 23
Fantastic company. Peter Kirby contacted me and was extremely helpful and responsive throughout the entire interview and hiring process. I highly recommend Eolas recruitment!
Paul
Paul
10:07 14 Apr 23
I had the pleasure and good fortune of working with Eolas and Peter Kirby in particular. I was matched to a role that is the perfect fit for me. Peter Kirby and Caoimhe Cronin made the recruitment process seamless. Fast, efficient, helpful, courteous and friendly. I have no hesitation in giving Eolas my highest recommendation, definitely deserving of a 5 star!
Miriam O'Dowd
Miriam O'Dowd
17:03 11 Apr 23
Great experience when joining new my contract role. Got all my questions answered very quickly through Caoimhe. She was very responsive and professional throughout my process from scheduling interview till my first day. Very well detailed information was provided to me for my first day, so thank you!
Satpreet Singh
Satpreet Singh
00:54 20 Mar 23
My experience with Eolas recruitment was fantastic, Sean Prendergast was a pleasure to deal with, he kept me informed throughout the whole process and I would recommend Sean and the Eolas team to anyone looking for a new job position
Valerie Flynn
Valerie Flynn
16:47 17 Feb 23
Recruitment process was smooth. Alan was in touch with me via email even when I was out of Ireland. I was given sufficient time for interview preparation and they also gave me enough time to rest after coming back to Ireland and did not rush me to join work immediately. The onboarding process went smooth as well. Alan was very helpful throughout. Thanks Eolas for your service and helping me get a contract job.
Deepika Phadtare
Deepika Phadtare
09:31 08 Feb 23
I would highly recommend Eolas Recruitment. It was Very quick response to my application and they kept me up to date with every stage of the process. I am just about to start a great new role thanks to their fantastic services. I wanted to thank STEPHEN DALY and CAOIMHE CRONIN for all the support and encouragement. 😇
Sasikala R
Sasikala R
19:57 06 Feb 23
Great working with this agency, I landed a great opportunity with them, they do everything with people looking to change like me, Special thanks to Luke P for going beyond to help in any he could.
Ciaran Collins
Ciaran Collins
19:47 02 Feb 23
My fresh experience with eolas recruitment was excellent and amazing, Peter Kirby and Caoimhe Cronin was really supportive and professional, guided me through the entire interview process and supported me every moment before and after the interview. I am very grateful to eolas as my recruiting agency. Thank you for the great service you offered.Lijumol Shaji
lijumol Shaji
lijumol Shaji
09:46 28 Jan 23
It was a wonderful experience throughout the recruitment process. Luke Prendergast dealt and assisted me with every step in a very professional manner.
Khushpinder Singh
Khushpinder Singh
12:24 17 Jan 23
I'm currently contracting through Eolas and I couldn't recommend them enough. Everything from interviews through to supporting on boarding has been very efficient. I've dealt primarily with Stephen Daly for recruitment, he's a gentleman, very competent and always available for questions. Also Berilyn Teeling my accounts contact is very friendly and professional.One stand out feature is the communication between agents in Eolas. When you take the time to reply with feedback to one of the Eolas agents about a proposed role that isn't for you, you'll be contacted about a position that suits you if one arises!
Christopher Casey
Christopher Casey
11:44 17 Jan 23
It was an amazing experience with Eolas recruitment team.Caoimhe Cronin was very helpful all the way through the recruitment process. I would say it was one of the best HR experiences I have with Caoimhe.Thank you for all your help and support.
aitham vinay
aitham vinay
15:14 09 Jan 23
Excellent experience going through the recruitment process with Eolas Recruitment as a job seeker. Alan was superb in keeping me up to date and preparing me for the various interview rounds. I can highly recommend.
Thomas O'Brien
Thomas O'Brien
14:04 09 Jan 23
My experience with Eolas was great. It was a pleasure dealing with Alan Kane. He was extremely professional and helpful throughout the process.He kept me up to date with my progress after the interview. I would higly recommend Alan and Eolas team.
Komal Joshi
Komal Joshi
14:10 03 Jan 23
Alan and Peter were great at onboarding me through the process. They helped to give me whatever resources and understanding I needed in order to settle my nerves at every step of the way and I couldn't be more grateful for their help! Highly recommend.
Tadhg Deeney
Tadhg Deeney
14:50 24 Dec 22
I was with Caroline on securing a position with a tech company.The job specification on the position was clear. I was also able to get a salary range the position offered and not "competitive salary" answer.The company I applied for was a bit slow at getting back. Eolas followed up with what the delay was and kept me up to date with what was happening.Got interviews: YesGot Job Specs: YesGot Salary Range: YesGot Position: YesThomas
Tom Walsh
Tom Walsh
16:22 08 Dec 22
I had a great experience working with Peter Kirby and Caoimhe Cronin at Eolas. They are very professional and very communicative. I received supports and adviceseach step through the whole process. I would highly recommend Eolas. Thanks a million!
Wei Duan
Wei Duan
18:50 22 Nov 22
From the initial discussion about my role through, the vetting, onboarding and right through to the invoicing and payment process the experience with Eolas has been first rate. Luke helped me highlight the items on the CV that the client was looking for and Stephen gave me solid advice about how to invoice in Euros from a UK company. Stephen advised me to open a euro account. Advice which I initially ignored...at my cost...the Royal Bank of Scotland creamed 4.6% of my first invoice! Next time I will listen to the voice of experience.
Tony Hasler
Tony Hasler
08:51 18 Nov 22
I had an incredible experience with Eolas and Peter Kirby. I was prepped for my interview and received regular updates throughout the process. By far, the best experience I’ve had with a recruiter and would thoroughly recommend.
Liane Mulvaney
Liane Mulvaney
18:56 25 Oct 22

Upload your CV

  • Send us your CV and we'll be in touch with jobs relevant to you.

  • Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 10 MB.
  • In order to submit this form you'll need to agree with our Privacy Policy